WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today said President Obama's $79 billion budget for the U.S. Department of Transportation continues strong levels of investment for safety, the department's top priority, along with critical investments for infrastructure to generate economic growth and support livable communities.

"President Obama's budget builds on an historic first year for this Department of Transportation," said Secretary LaHood. "In addition to making critical investments in our nation's infrastructure, we jump-started high-speed rail across America, launched a campaign against distracted driving and proposed landmark transit safety legislation. This budget reflects our priorities and values by continuing to invest in safety, livable communities and an improved national transportation system."

Secretary LaHood said the budget promotes safety in a number of areas, starting with a new $50 million incentive grant program to the states to combat distracted driving. Since Secretary LaHood convened a national Distracted Driving Summit last fall, he has undertaken a nationwide campaign to put an end to the deadly epidemic.

The budget further advances traffic safety with $12 million to improve the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) Five-Star Safety Rating System, which is used to rank the safety of new automobiles, and 66 additional personnel in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration assigned to highway and vehicle safety issues.

Safety personnel will be added across agencies, with $7 million and 118 people for additional motor carrier safety inspectors; $14 million for the FAA to hire 82 new safety and certification inspectors and safety technical specialists; and $1.4 million to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to continue carrying out their action plan to address pipeline and hazardous material safety.

Aviation safety is a top priority, receiving $1.1 billion for NextGen air traffic control technology, an increase of $275 million, 32 percent, over the FY 2010 enacted levels.